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Starting School for Students New to FCPS

Welcome to Fairfax County Public Schools.

Let us help you prepare for your child’s entrance into Fairfax County Public Schools. Here are some facts and procedures about our K-12 program:

Facts

  • Children who are five by September 30 are eligible to enter kindergarten that school year. Parents of younger children can find resources through the FCPS early childhood program.
  • A child who will be six years old on or before Sept. 30 must attend school.
  • Most FCPS elementary schools offer grades K-6, most middle schools offer grades 7-8, and high schools offer grades 9-12. Exceptions are noted in the school profile.
  • A qualifying parent may elect to provide home instruction for his or her school-age child in lieu of school attendance.

Procedures

  • Determine what school your child will go to. The FCPS boundary locator service provides the names of the elementary, middle and high schools assigned to each home in the county. To access the service by telephone, call 703-329-9831 and follow the instructions.
  • You will need to register your child at the school he or she will attend. General registration requirements and information are outlined. Registration forms are online.Please register your student as soon as possible upon arrival in the area.
  • Contact your child’s school to make arrangements for enrollment. Students are enrolled throughout the year. School offices are open in the summer months for registration of students who are new to the area.
  • In certain circumstances, parents can request to have students assigned to schools outside of the student's neighborhood school boundaries.
  • Student Registration provides school enrollment for students whose home languages are other than English (Multilingual registrars are available to help families with limited English proficiency.); foreign exchange students and students requiring I-20 student visas; all students whose natural parents or legally adoptive parents do not reside in Fairfax County; tuition-paying students; and students in foster care placed by other Virginia counties or by out-of-state agencies.
  • Tuition is charged for students whose parents do not live in Fairfax County. Contact Student Registration for enrollment of nonresident students.